Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal: 271 upcoming festivals, including 96 with tickets on sale.

Heavy Metal is characterized by its powerful, often distorted guitar riffs, driving rhythms from a prominent bass and drums, and an overall aggressive, high-energy sound. Emerging in the late 1960s in the UK and US, it evolved from hard rock and blues, incorporating elements of classical and even Eastern music to create its distinct heavy and thick sonic landscape. Iconic pioneers include Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple, who laid the groundwork for countless subgenres. Its cultural impact extends beyond music, influencing fashion and art, and continues to evolve with diverse subgenres like thrash and power metal.

Parent genreMetal